Friday, September 15, 2006

Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Moves to Senate for Vote

Last week, the House of Representatives voted 263 to 146 in favor of H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for the same purpose.

The measure, which will now move on to the Senate, was adopted despite opponents strident last-minute efforts including numerous poison pill amendments and intense lobbying by the horse slaughter industry, led by former Representative Charlie Stenholm (D-TX).

In the debate leading up to the vote, bill sponsors Representative John Sweeney (R-NY), Representative John Spratt (D-SC), Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV) effectively argued the legislations necessity. Showing graphic images of the horrific cruelty endured by horses being transported to slaughterhouses, they exposed the inhumane conditions inflicted on over 92,000 of Americas horses last year alone.

This huge victory was made possible by support from dedicated individuals who made sure Members of Congress knew where they stood and had the knowledge to reject the false claims being presented by the few who profit from the suffering of Americas horses. It couldnt have happened without your help!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:Please begin contacting your Senators NOW, urging their co-sponsorship of S. 1915, the Senate companion bill to H.R. 503, and requesting a vote on the legislation in the current session of Congress. Last year, the Senate voted for a temporary ban on horse slaughter by a vote of 69 to 28. To see how your Senators voted on that measure, click here. If either of them voted for this ban, be sure to remind them of this sensible position.

To find your Senators, click here or call the Capitol Hill operator at (202) 224-3121 and request to be connected to your Senators offices. For more information on horse slaughter and how you can help make a difference for America's horses, please click here.

Letters should be addressed to:Office of Senator (Name)United States SenateWashington, D.C. 20510

Office of Representative (Name)United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Be sure to tell your Senators you would like to know their positions on this critical issue and forward their responses with us to assist our lobbying efforts.

Please share our Dear Humanitarian eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact their legislators, too. As always, thank you for your help!